Karl wieser



PATENTED JAN. 26, 1904.

K. WIESER. PERCUSSION FUSE FOR EXPLODING SHELLS.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

A U F A Yatezrteci 5on1,

KARL *IESER, OF Ri TlTEh'SCl-IEID, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO lilil'l ll),

' KRUPP, OF ESSEil-ON-TilE-RUHR, (irERlilANY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 750,785, dated January 26, 1904.

Griginal apphcation filed September 21, 1901, Serial No. 76,019 Divided and this application filed April 22, 1902. Serial No.

104,196. on model) To (21/ 'HF/MHTI/ if mny mm (0.

Be it lmown that l, K: anlirnsnn, a subject f the Emperor of Germany, and a resident of iiilttenseheid, near iCssen-on-the-Pmhr, Germany, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Percussion-Fuses for EX- ploding Shells of which the following is a specification.

This is a division of my application filed September 21, 1901, Serial 0. 76,019, in which is described a percussion-lose provided with an arrangement for so regulating the detonation of the exploding charge that it follows the ignition of the fuse with or without delay that to either at the instant the shot reaches the target or with a sufficient retardation to insure the explosion taking place during penetration or after the shot has penetrated the target-this bcin accomplished by having ignition transmitted either directly through non-obstructing channels, in which may be located reinforcing charges of rapidlybnrning powder or causing ignition to be transmitted through a retarding charge of slowly-lmrning powd -r r the like, the adjustment of the igniting-fusc corresponding to these lwo results being designated for convenience the impact position or the delay position.

The present invention constitutes a new embodiment of percussion-fuse f r attaining the aforesaid object w iich provides for a rapid and easy changing of the condition of the fuse from delay to impact, and vice versa, by employing two controllable channels between the igniting-point and the interior of the projectile, one of which channels contains and is contr' lied by the retarding meuium, while to other forms a by-pass arom said retarding niediunn so as to form a direct or immediate communication between i gniting-chamber the percussion-fuse and the bursting charge of the shell, and is controlled by a device movable therein through the medium of which the channel maybe opened or closed.

The present invc tion embodies as further features of improvement the specific form of device for closing the hy-pass channel, as Well i as the particular arrangement of reinforcing charges of rapidly-l)urning powder, in relation to the channels aforesaid.

The accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, show an embodiment of the invention, by way of illustration, in its two positions or conditions of use, F'gure 1 being a vertical section through the axis of the fuse and the axis of the channel forming part of the by-pass and showing the latter open, and Fig. 2 a corresponding section with the by-pass closed.

Percussion-fuses heretofore made have cmployed a ncedlc-bolt A, spur-ring B, and the safety=spring (I, arranged immediately in a bore of the body F and the igniting-pellet l) resting in a screw-cap which closes the bore, while suitable communication is established between the ignitir g-chamber and the i ntcri or of the projectile. In the present invention two different passages lead from the ignitingchamber of the percussion-fuse toward the interior of the shell. One of these passage to wit. the impact or irnmcdiatc-ignition channel is formed by an oblique channel R, extending from the igniting-chamber and terminating in a longitrulinal bore S, running parallel to the axis of the fuss, extending forward to the head of the fuse-body, and receiving at its base a charge K of rapidlyburning powder, which is ignited by and reinforces the flash of the ignitingallet, also the chamber T of the fuse-body, with which the channel S is in communication, and the longitudinal bore (1 of a screw-cap L, that forms the rear wall of the chamber T. Said chamber 1 is filled with a longitudinally and transversely bored charge K of rapidly-burning powder. The longitudinal bore in the charge K corresponds with the delay-channel, while the transverse bore corresponds with the impact or immediate-igniti0n chamber. The second connection or delay-channel between the igniting-chamber and the interior of the shell according to the present invention is provided by the channel U, which is filled with a retarding mediuin*for example, a charge N of slowly-burning powderand discharges into the chamber T. If the channel R, forming part of the by-pass, is open, the flash of the fuse communicates with the rapidly-burning powder K and thence to the interior of the shell, and detonation of the bursting charge takes place instantly upon impact. If, however, the oblique channel R is closed, the flash from the fuse-pellet only.

ignites the slow-burning charge N and iscommunicated from the latter less rapidly to the.

rapidlyeburning.charge K through the longitudinal bore, so that the last-named charge K detonates the bursting charge only after the lapse of sufficient timeto permit penetration to have taken place partially or Wholly, according to the selection of the charge M.

The device for cutting off the channel R,

which forms part of the immediate communicatlon between the igniting-chamber of the percussion-fuse and the bursting charge, consists of adevice manually movable in or re.

movable from the bore S. This may consist of a bolt V, introducedinto the bore S, terminating just above the reinforcing charge K and fixed in or released from the hole by screwv ing in or unscrewing.

-When the shell is to be exploded without delay by this fuse, the screw-bolt V is ,re-

- moved. The fire-jet then passesthrough the channels R, S, T, and Q and explodes the charge before the sloW-fire-powder mass in the channel U is completely burned. When, however, the explosion is to be delayed and 7 not to take place until the shell has penetrated into the target, the channel S is filled up by the insertion of the screw-bolt V, so that the ignition of'the bursting charge cannot take place until after the slow-fire-powder mass in the channel U has burned through to the channe T.

As may be readily seen, the above-described arrangements may also be used for such per-- cuss1on-fuses as are combined with a time fuse into a combination-fuse Without materially changing the nature of the invention. The closing up of the direct'connection between the fire-space of the percussiomfuseand the bursting charge may also be effected by other meansthan those shown and described.

- Havingthus described my invention,the following is WhatI claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

. 1.1Afuse for shells having two separate "passages, one of which is permanently open 5 5 to the, interior of the shell and is provided with means for communicating ignition thereto with delay, while the other communicates ignition 'Without delay, and means operable from the exterior of thefuse and adapted to open and close the passage which communicates ignition without delay.

3. A fuse having two separate passages, between the ignition-chamber and the interior of the shell, one of which is permanentlyopen and contains a retarding medium and communicates ignition with delay, and the other of which forms a by-pass around the retarding medium and transmits ignition without delay, afid means for cutting ofl saidby-pass manua y.

i. In a percussion-fuse for shells, the combination of two connections between the percussion-chamber of the fuse and the bursting charge of. the shell, one ofwhich connections is substantially direct between the said space and said charge while the other, has an interposed slow-burning mass, and a screw-bolt adapted for interruptingthe direct connection between the fuse and the bursting charge, substantially as described.

5. A fuse having a passage communicating between the igniting-chamber and the interior of the shell, a slow-burning medium inter-'- posed in said passage, a laterally-disposed bore having communication with the ignitionchamber and the interior of the shell, forming a by-pass around. the slow-burning medium, and a .manually-ad usted device movable in said bore, opening or closing the same, and permitting immediatetransmission-of the igniting-flame or causing the igniting-flame to be transmitted throughthe slow-burning medium, according as' it opens or closes the by- 6. A fuse having a passage communicatlng between the i gaming-chamber and the interior of the shell, a slow-burning medium interposed in said passage, a laterally disposed bore having communication with the ignition chamber andthe interior of the shell, forming a by-passaround the slow-burning medium, a reinforcing charge of rapidly-burning explosive in said laterally-disposed bore,

and a manually-adjusted device movable in said bore, opening or closing the same, and permitting lmmedlate transmission of the 1gniting-flame or causing theigniting-flame to be transmitted through the slow-burning medium, according as it opens or closes the bypass. f

v7. A fuse having two channels forming communications between the point of ignition" and the interior of the projectile, a retarding medium in one of said channels, and the other channel forming a by-pass around, said retarder, a chamber forming a part of both channels containing a reinforcing charge, a longitudinal bore in the reinforcing charge leading from the retarding medium, a transverselydisposed bore in the reinforcing charge forminga part of said bypass, and means for closing said by-pziss.

8. In a percussion-fuse, the combination Theforeg'oing specification signed at Duswith the primer, of two passages eomnmniseldorf this 7th day of April, 1902.

eating ignition to the bursting charge, a delay-action device in one of said passages, and Y 5 manually-operated means movable independ- In presence of ently of the primer to open and close the other WILLIAM ESSENWEIN, passage. i A PETER LIEBER.

KARL VVIESER. 

